(CAAC )CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE - The City of Brownsville

Here is something thats out there available for the arts........"tax dollars"...WHHHAAATTT!!

How much money was available for 2010 and who or what has already been approved and or how was it distributed ???

And might as well ask was anyone denied ?

Does anyone know the answers?

(CAAC ) CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The City of Brownsville

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February 18, 2009

Attached is the Fiscal Year 2010 Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee (CAAC) Application Packet. The City of Brownsville created the Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee through Resolution 2008-070 on August 5, 2008, and Resolution 2008-087 on October 7, 2008 to coordinate and oversee organizations funded from Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and general fund monies. The orientation meeting for the CAAC Board was held on October 25, 2008, and the Board has been working very hard since that time to develop a funding process that is fair and equitable. The Articles and Bylaws and the Funding process was approved by the City Commission on January 20, 2009.

Training for funding will be held on Tuesday, February 24th starting at 6pm located at City of Brownsville Human Resource Training Room, on the 4th floor of the Brownville City Hall, located at 1001 E. Elizabeth (10th & Elizabeth). In addition to street parking, a City of Brownsville Parking lot is located at 10th and St. Charles for your convenience. Please begin reviewing and working on the applications prior to the training so we may try to address issues at that time or immediately thereafter.

The Funding Application packet may also be obtained on-line on the CAAC website at www.cob.us/caac. The funding amount that will be approved for Fiscal Year 2010 will be posted on our website once the City of Brownsville Chief Financial Officer provides that amount to CAAC.

The deadline for submission is March 23, 2009 by 4pm to Room 230, City Hall, 1001 E. Elizabeth, Brownsville, Texas 78520. Please note that funds will not be available until October 1, 2009.

The Board is excited about this opportunity to act as a facilitator and clearinghouse for city funding and promotion for cultural activities in Brownsville. Please help us make this a successful endeavor for a better Brownsville.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 548-6006.

Sincerely,


Delina Barrera
CAAC Staff



CITY OF BROWNSVILLE
CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FISCAL YEAR 2010 PROGRAM GUIDELINES

GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

The City of Brownsville has established a Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee (CAAC) to ensure that all Brownsville citizens and tourists have an opportunity to enjoy quality events and attractions in the City of Brownsville. One of the goals was to ensure that funding and contracting for these services through partnerships with non profit organizations effectively maximizes the use of these tax dollars, leverages external funding support and promotes economic development. All organizations performing cultural related activities including marketing thereof, for the City must also develop, implement and maintain operational policies that include measurable goals for the attraction of overnight visitors to the City of Brownsville. Effective management of funds will be monitored and evaluated by the CAAC and taken into consideration in the funding process.

This document contains guidelines, deadlines and application funding forms for the City of Brownsville hotel occupancy tax (HOT) and the general fund dollars for fiscal year (FY) 2010. This section provides a brief summary of all programs. Please refer to the appropriate sections of this guide for more detailed information and application form for each program.

FUNDING PROGRAMS
Funding is awarded on a competitive basis through hotel occupancy tax (HOT) and general fund dollars for the following programs:

Operational Support Program
The Operational Support Program (OSP) provides funding to established non-profit cultural/heritage/arts organizations for operational costs for Fiscal Year 2010. There are 3 categories of support: general, marketing and utility.
1. General: Funding for general operations.

2. Marketing (Tourism Initiative Program-TIP): This category supports the marketing of City of Brownsville attractions and events as a part of the tourism industry using hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funding. This initiative supports projects that increase Brownsville visitors’ awareness and participation in the City’s attractions and events. The priority of this initiative is to attract and maintain overnight visitors to the City, encouraging extended stays and increased expenditures by visitors.

3. Utilities: Only organizations in city owned facilities are eligible for utility funding. All organizations receiving funding under this category must submit a “Green Practices” for their organization which promotes cost-effective energy savings in municipally owned buildings and facilities. Please see Green Office Practice tips in the Appendix.

Special Initiative Funding (SIF):
Special Initiative Funding provides funding for projects and events that are to be held during Fiscal Year 2010.


PEER PANEL REVIEW

Applications for the OSP and SIF are evaluated by a Peer Review Panel whose membership is taken from a list of qualified candidates nominated and selected by the Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee.
Panels include the following categories:
Visual Arts: Paintings, Photographs, Exhibits and Film
Performing Arts: Music, Dance & Theater
Multidisciplinary: Festivals, Cultural Events, Public Art, Storytelling; Readings
Historical Restoration and Preservation

Applicants must attend the Peer Review Panel meeting to present a brief organizational/project summary and to answer questions.

Organizations are encouraged to submit nominations for the Peer Review Panel. A Panel Nomination Form is included in this package or can be downloaded from the CAAC website: http://caac.cob.us by clicking on Funding Programs and scrolling to the bottom of the page.


APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applications must be hand delivered or received in the mail by 4pm on the deadline date to the following address:
City of Brownsville
City Hall
1001 E. Elizabeth, Rm 230
Brownsville, Tx 78520


Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee (CAAC)


Board of Directors

Rochelle Mercedes Garza
Chair

Silvia Perez
Vice Chair

Robert Louis Prepejchal
Secretary

Rosendo Escareno.
Treasurer

Hugh Emerson

Peter J. Harris

Vacant


Ex-Officio Directors

Angela Burton
Business Representative
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

Connie Hensley
Hotel/Motel Representative

Traci Wickett
Nonprofit Representative
United Way President/CEO
serving Brownsville, Texas


Mission:
Enrich the cultural
experience for citizens &
tourists of Brownsville.

Ph. (956) 548-6006
Fax (956) 546-1612
1001 E. Elizabeth
P.O. Box 911
Brownsville, TX 78522

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TO NOTE :ON AUGUST 3, 2009

BARRY HORN SENT OUT WORD.......


A word from the Executive Director


The Brownsville Museum of Fine Art is the result of the dedication and inspiration of eight artists who gathered together almost 75 years ago in Brownsville to develop their artistic talents and to provide educational and exhibition opportunities. These eight women would marvel at their legacy.

The City of Brownsville has supported and valued the private efforts of the Museum founders and their many, many followers throughout the Museum's history. The Museum's new facility dedicated three years ago is an investment by the citizens of Brownsville with the Museum's Board of Trustees which allows the gifts of the founders to be shared by everyone in south Texas.

The City of Brownsville's Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee will present a recommendation to the City Commissioners and Mayor that promotes the cessation of City funding for operations of our Museum of Fine Art. This recommendation will be made at a special workshop on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. prior to the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Please plan to join the Museum's Board of Trustees, Membership and staff at the Commissioners Meeting to demonstrate your support of your Museum. The Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee is charged to make a recommendation and does not determine policy. Policy is the responsibility of our elected leaders. Please plan to join us to show our leaders that the Museum has your support.

When? Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 4:25 p.m.

Where? City Administration Building (downtown Post Office Building) E. Elizabeth St. at E. 10th St; 2nd Floor

Barry Horn
Executive Director, Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts





About the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art
The Brownsville Museum of Fine Art strives to contribute to the art education and cultural enrichment of the community, exhibit works of art, arrange for and offer educational programs for children and adults, and encourage and develop the appreciation and advancement of art throughout the community.


Brownsville Museum of Fine Art
In the heart of the Mitte Cultural District
660 E. Ringgold St. · Brownsville, TX 78520 · (956) 542-0941


TAOB NOTES : WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY COMING FROM??? I THOUGHT WE WERE IN A RECESSION..??IT SEEMS THE CITY OF BROWNSVILLE IS BLOSSOMING AND PROSPERING... FOR THE SAKE OF THE ARTS....